The difference in the sanction highlights the severity of the European body's minimum ban of 10 games for racist and discriminatory offences – the Football Association and Fifa have a minimum punishment of five games.

The Belgian player, Omar Rahou, made the gesture several times during the Futsal Euro 2014 tournament when celebrating a goal. The quenelle is widely seen as having antisemitic connotations.

Uefa said in a statement: "The fight against racism and other discriminatory behaviour is a high priority for Uefa. The European governing body has a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and discrimination on the pitch and in the stands. All forms of racist conduct are considered serious offences against the disciplinary regulations and are punished with the most severe sanctions.

"Following the entry into force of the new disciplinary regulations on June 1 2013, the fight against racist behaviour has been stepped up a level – resulting in more severe sanctions as deterrents."

Anelka has seven days to consider whether to appeal against his ban once he has received the full written reasons from the independent regulatory commission that imposed the suspension.

The FA commission accepted there was no intent by the forward to be antisemitic but, under strict liability rules, he was found guilty of an aggravated offence.

Anelka insisted the salute was in support of his friend, the French comedian Dieudonné M'bala M'bala, the person who brought the quenelle to prominence. Dieudonné has been prosecuted for antisemitic offences and has been barred from entering the UK.